Cheapest car insurance in Madison, Wisconsin (Nov 2024)

Written by R.E. Fulton and 2 others
Nov 25, 2024
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Cheapest car insurance in Madison, Wisconsin (Nov 2024)

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Cheapest car insurance quotes in Madison

On average, auto insurance in Madison costs about $70 per month for minimum coverage liability insurance and about $150 per month for full coverage insurance. Madison drivers pay 5% less than the Wisconsin average.

Although it would be convenient, Wisconsin does not have a single car insurance provider that consistently offers the cheapest rates for everyone. Instead, savvy shoppers know that one of the best ways to find cheap auto insurance in Madison, Wisconsin is to compare quotes from multiple providers.

Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Dairyland $77 Douglas, 36, Madison, WI Hyundai Elantra Se State Minimum No
Gainsco $107 Dollie, 54, Madison, WI Chevrolet Malibu Lt State Minimum No
Progressive $150 Joshua, 35, Madison, WI Tesla Model Y 50/100 Yes
Progressive $76 Hattie, 20, Madison, WI Nissan Rogue Sport S State Minimum No
Progressive $37 Estelle, 30, Madison, WI Toyota 4Runner Sport Ed State Minimum No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Best car insurance companies in Madison

Jerry wanted to know what car insurance companies offered the cheapest rates in Madison, so we conducted the largest insurance shopping survey nationwide, analyzing information from more than 15,000 policyholders over 18 months.

Here’s what we learned: No car insurance company offers the cheapest rates for everyone. This is mainly because car insurance rates are based on various factors particular to individuals.

The easiest way to find the best car insurance rates is to shop around and compare quotes from multiple providers. But don’t just look at rates—claims handling and customer service are essential, too.

If you need help, check out the table below to see how Madison drivers rated some popular insurers on a scale of 0 to 5.

Insurance companyOverall ratingPriceClaims experienceCustomer service
Safeco4.84.8N/A4.7
Progressive4.344.84.3
Bristol West4.24.2N/A3.7
Geico3.83.33.33.5
State Farm3.73.7N/A3.3

How’d we get these scores?

Jerry’s experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.

Best cheap car insurance quotes in Madison

Wisconsin driving laws mandate that drivers must carry minimum liability coverage on their car insurance policy. It’s often a good idea for many drivers to opt for full coverage for greater protection for their vehicle and wallet.

Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Madison

At a minimum, Madison drivers must have the following liability coverage limits:

You’ll commonly hear the Wisconsin insurance limits called the 25/50/10 rule.

On top of liability coverage, drivers must carry a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of uninsured motorist coverage for bodily injury.

Do you need more than minimum coverage in Madison?

In most cases, Madison drivers are often better off choosing higher car insurance limits than Wisconsin’s legally required minimums.

If you’re involved in a serious car accident, expenses can quickly exceed these limits. After an at-fault accident, your insurance provider will cover costs up to your policy limits, but you’ll be responsible for covering any costs that exceed your limits.

Our recommendation: For better financial protection, insurance experts commonly recommend choosing higher liability limits, such as 50/100/50 or 100/300/100.

Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in Madison

If you want protection for your vehicle, you’ll want to add full coverage to your policy.

Full coverage generally refers to both comprehensive and collision coverage:

  • Collision insurance: Covers vehicle repairs or replacement costs after an accident.
  • Comprehensive insurance: Covers vehicle repairs or replacement costs after damages caused by other incidents, including vandalism, theft, severe weather, or hitting an animal.

If you have a car loan: It’s common for lenders to require that you keep full coverage on your car insurance policy until your loan is paid off.

Madison drivers have found cheap rates for full coverage car insurance.

Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
State Minimum Yes Progressive $366 Philip, 25, Madison, GA Nissan Versa S
State Minimum Yes Trexis $287 Lula, 34, Madison, TN Nissan Altima S
State Minimum Yes National General $124 Matthew, 49, Madison, AL Chevrolet Malibu Ls
50/100 No Bristol West $923 Martha, 50, Madison, GA Chevrolet Equinox Rs
State Minimum Yes Bluefire $150 Allie, 21, Madison, AL Toyota Camry
Last Updated Nov, 2024

The easiest way to find the right coverage at the right price in Madison is to compare insurance quotes from multiple providers. Jerry, a top-rated insurance broker, streamlines this process using an online app to deliver quick quote comparisons and 24/7 support from a network of over 100 licensed insurance agents.

Average cost of car insurance in Madison

The data from Jerry’s study shows that in Madison, the average cost for minimum liability coverage is $840 per year or $70 per month. For full coverage, the average cost is $1,800 per year or $150 per month.

Of course, averages can be helpful when trying to predict insurance costs, but your actual car insurance rate will depend on a variety of factors, including:

  • The type of car you drive
  • Where you keep your car
  • Your driving record
  • Your age, gender, and other demographics
  • Your coverage needs and insurance history

Based on this, your rate could be hundreds of dollars above or below the Wisconsin average.

Average cost of car insurance in Madison by zip code

Where you keep your car will significantly impact your car insurance premium since it affects your vehicle’s exposure to risks. Drivers in Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Erie could see different rates than drivers in Madison.

Car insurance companies will evaluate your city’s:

  • Population density
  • Crime rates
  • Accident rates
  • Weather trends

Even within Madison, different zip codes may see different average insurance costs.

Here’s what various drivers pay for car insurance across Madison.

Zip CodeAverage State Minimum Coverage RateAverage Full Coverage Rate
53140$82$167
53142$45$154
53143$24$111
Live table

Car insurance quotes in Madison by rating factors

Car insurance companies in Wisconsin will review a wide range of factors making up your driver profile when calculating your car insurance rate, such as:

  • What kind of car you drive: Full coverage is usually more expensive for luxury, sports, or high-value vehicles.
  • What you use your vehicle for: A car insurance policy for a vehicle you drive to work daily will likely cost more than one for a car that’s only driven occasionally.
  • Your driving record: Car insurance is typically more expensive for drivers with a history of accidents and/or violations.
  • Where you keep your car: Insurers will evaluate your area’s population density, accident rates, weather trends, and crime rates. If you can keep your vehicle in a secure garage, you can often see a lower rate.
  • Your credit score: Because drivers with lower credit scores are more likely to file claims, policyholders with the highest credit scores will usually qualify for lower rates.

Cheap car insurance quotes in Madison after driving violations

Your Wisconsin driving record will contain some of the most important information when determining your Madison car insurance costs. Following the rules of the road will make it much easier to find a cheap premium.

Some common traffic violations that can affect your car insurance rates include:

  • Speeding
  • DUIs
  • At fault accidents
  • Reckless driving

Cheapest car insurance in Madison after DUI

A DUI conviction can dramatically increase your Madison car insurance costs, but shopping around for new quotes could help you find a more affordable coverage option.

Cheapest car insurance in Madison after an at-fault accident

After an accident, your car insurance premium could increase significantly—especially if you were found at fault. Multiple at-fault accidents and insurance claims peg you as a risky driver, and most insurers don’t want to insure high-risk drivers.

Shopping for new rates could help you find a cheaper premium in Madison.

Accident type
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
At Fault With No Injury Gainsco $107 Dollie, 54, Madison, WI Chevrolet Malibu Lt State Minimum No
At Fault With No Injury The General $760 Lillian, 36, Madison, WI Mercedes-Benz C 300 4Matic State Minimum Yes
At Fault With No Injury Bristol West $75 Allen, 35, Madison, WI Bmw 528I State Minimum No
Not At Fault Progressive $246 Pauline, 43, Madison, WI Ford Fusion Se State Minimum Yes
Not At Fault Progressive $126 Johanna, 49, Madison, WI Nissan Altima Platinum State Minimum Yes
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Madison after other driving violations

Speeding tickets and DUIs are serious, but they aren’t the only violations that can increase your car insurance premiums. Reckless driving, driving without insurance, or driving without a valid license can all lead to increases in your Madison insurance rates, too.

From reckless driving to improper passing, these are rates other Madison drivers found after various violations.

Violation
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Other Minor Dairyland $77 Douglas, 36, Madison, WI Hyundai Elantra Se State Minimum No
Improper Passing The General $760 Lillian, 36, Madison, WI Mercedes-Benz C 300 4Matic State Minimum Yes
Suspension Progressive $188 Lelia, 46, Madison, WI Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor State Minimum Yes
Other Minor Progressive $246 Pauline, 43, Madison, WI Ford Fusion Se State Minimum Yes
Eluding Police National General $76 Mike, 42, Madison, WI Hyundai Genesis 3.8L State Minimum No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Cheap car insurance quotes in Madison by age

Your age influences your Wisconsin car insurance rate—and young drivers usually see the most expensive premiums.

Following their teen years, Wisconsin drivers can generally expect their car insurance rates to decrease gradually over time. Then, costs will slowly increase around age 75—but averages still usually remain cheaper than those seen with teen drivers.

Cheapest car insurance in Madison for young drivers

Teen drivers between 16 and 19 can typically expect to pay the most for car insurance.

This is mainly because young and new drivers have a significantly higher risk of accidents.

That risk makes it a good idea to consider full coverage—especially if the vehicle you or your teen uses is newer or higher in value.

To save even more: Look into the good student, defensive driving course, and good driver discounts offered by providers when shopping around.

Cheapest car insurance in Madison for senior drivers

Senior drivers face an increased risk of accidents, as well as experiencing severe injuries after an accident—which can cause car insurance costs to rise around your mid-seventies.

But you could still find a better rate by seeking new car insurance quotes.

Cheap car insurance quotes in Madison based on insurance history

Your auto insurance history will also affect your Madison car insurance costs.

Car insurance companies like to see policyholders maintain consistent coverage over a given period, and those who do will often secure lower rates. On the other hand, having past car insurance coverage lapses could leave you paying more for a policy.

If you’re shopping for car insurance for the first time, you can start by selecting a policy that offers the coverage you need while remaining within your budget.

Because making on-time payments is crucial for maintaining your coverage, Jerry can send customers payment reminders and late payment warnings.

Cheap car insurance quotes in Madison for drivers with poor credit

Unfortunately, drivers with poor credit are statistically more likely to file insurance claims, which can leave them with higher rates.

Taking the steps to build good credit can help you save on car insurance in the long run. In the meantime, shopping around for quotes could help you find a more affordable rate based on your current credit score.

Take a look at what Madison drivers with varying credit scores are paying for their car insurance.

Credit Range
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Customer
Car
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Unknown Dairyland $77 Douglas, 36, Madison, WI Hyundai Elantra Se State Minimum No
660-750 Gainsco $107 Dollie, 54, Madison, WI Chevrolet Malibu Lt State Minimum No
750+ Progressive $150 Joshua, 35, Madison, WI Tesla Model Y 50/100 Yes
Unknown Progressive $76 Hattie, 20, Madison, WI Nissan Rogue Sport S State Minimum No
550-659 Progressive $37 Estelle, 30, Madison, WI Toyota 4Runner Sport Ed State Minimum No
Last Updated Nov, 2024

The kind of car you drive will also affect your insurance costs. Auto insurance companies will look at factors like your vehicle’s age, theft risk, safety, and possible repair and replacement costs when calculating the cost of your premium.

Popular vehicle models in Wisconsin include:

  • Ford F-150
  • Honda Civic
  • Chevrolet Silverado
  • RAM 1500
  • Toyota RAV4
  • Chevrolet Equinox

Learn more: How to get car insurance before buying a car


Popular Car
Insurance Company
Premium (monthly)
Age
Zip Code
Liability Limits
Has Full Coverage
Honda Civic Ex Bristol West $267 32 07114 25/50 No
Ford F-150 Supercrew Progressive $423 67 07108 25/50 Yes
Toyota Rav4 Adventure Bristol West $556 42 07107 25/50 Yes
Ford F-150 Progressive $234 57 07106 25/50 No
Honda Civic Lx Progressive $369 51 07104 25/50 Yes
Last Updated Nov, 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Madison for new vs. old car

New vehicles usually cost more to insure than older cars.

In Madison, the average cost of full coverage for a car more than ten years old is $138, while insuring a vehicle less than four years old costs an average of $89.

How to lower car insurance costs in Madison

If you’re looking for cheaper car insurance in Madison, take note of these tips from Jerry’s team of licensed insurance agents:

  1. Shop around and compare multiple car insurance quotes.
  2. Bundle your car insurance with homeowners insurance or renters insurance.
  3. Take advantage of your provider’s car insurance discounts—like low mileage discounts, responsible payer discounts, accident-free discounts, or safety feature discounts.
  4. Raise your deductibles on your comprehensive and collision coverage.
  5. Strengthen your credit history. A better credit score could lower your car insurance rates.
  6. Consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage if your vehicle is older or has a low value.
  7. Take an approved defensive driving course.

Why is car insurance in Madison so expensive?

Not all factors that affect Madison car insurance costs are within your control. The following factors could also make your premium more expensive:

  • High-population density cities
  • Area crime rates
  • Uninsured drivers
  • Healthcare costs
  • Rising vehicle and repair costs
  • Severe weather risks

FAQ

  • How much is car insurance in Madison?
  • What is the minimum car insurance in Madison, Wisconsin?
  • What is the cheapest car insurance in Madison?
  • What is the best car insurance in Madison?
MEET OUR EXPERTS
meet-experts-thumbnail
R.E. Fulton
  • Licensed Insurance Agent

R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views. As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.

meet-experts-thumbnail
Lina Zhang

Lina Zhang is co-founder and vice president of operations at Jerry, where she leads a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, content, legal, and compliance. Lina’s operational excellence was a critical enabler of Jerry’s 10x growth in its first year of operation.

Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, led YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from five markets to more than 50. The trio left YourMechanic to incubate Jerry at Y Combinator in 2017.

Lina’s previous roles include intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a biomedical researcher at Stanford University.

Lina holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Nanjing University, a doctorate in biochemistry from Dartmouth College, and a juris doctorate from the University of California Berkeley School of Law. She’s a member of the State Bar of California and a licensed property and casualty insurance producer in all 50 states.

meet-experts-thumbnail
Josh Damico

As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.

Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.

Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions.

Insurance research

We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months).

We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.

For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings.

Team

The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.

For illustrative purposes only, results may vary

Editorial Note: This article was written by a paid member of Jerry’s editorial team. Statements in this article represent the author’s personal opinions and do not constitute advice or recommendations. You should consult with an insurance professional about your specific circumstances and needs before making any insurance decisions.